Race to Social Justice

In this thought-provoking discussion, Adjoa Jones de Almeida, a former Arts Executive Director known for expanding Philadelphia's artistic reach, and Sunanda Ghosh, Associate Executive Director of Forman Arts Initiative, delve into the intersection of art and social justice. They explore how art nurtures community empowerment and fosters healing in underserved areas. The duo emphasizes the urgent need for inclusivity in the arts, advocating for youth empowerment through arts education, and the pivotal role art plays in challenging systemic inequities.

Rev. Carolyn C. Cavaness, a 3rd generation pastor, has translated her education in urban studies and economics into vibrant community-connected ministries. She shares what the Christian faith tradition teaches about racial and social justice, the historical role the Black clergy have played in advancing racial justice and how she puts her own faith into action.

Special Edition: John and Keva moderate a panel with nonprofit leaders and a college student with lived housing and food insecurity experience before a live audience attending Bucks-Mont Collaborative’s Impact and Innovation Summit at Gwynedd Mercy University on May 21, 2025.  Their combined stories, insights and ideas paint a vivid picture of how racial and social injustice impacts local government and community efforts to address housing insecurity and homelessness and create affordable housing solutions.

Jenique Jones describes how WhyHunger, an organization founded and supported by legendary musicians and led by her with vision and fervor, helps grassroots communities find transformative solutions to tackle the root causes of hunger around the world.

Jacqueline Jones Royster, academic scholar and author, and Gene Kansas, cultural developer, preservationist and social entrepreneur, tell us how their collaborative talents are helping restore “Sweet Auburn”, an historic African-American community in Atlanta, Georgia.

Fr. Charles Oduke, PhD, is a Kenyan-born, Jesuit-trained, Kenya-India-USA- educated, world-traveled, university-founder and hospital mission-integrator, who conducts a clinic on Roman Catholic social teaching and doctrine rooted in human dignity and advancing common good as a basis for societal equity and justice.

Wynette Yao, an award-winning filmmaker, profiles her District of Second Chances documentary which chronicles the work of FAMM Foundation, an organization advocating for changes in extreme sentencing laws. Colie Levar Long, who is featured in the film and was released under a District of Columbia “second chance” law after serving over 20 years in prison, tells his story of redemption.

We discuss the importance of education and workforce development to the Black community with Steve Lewis, an expert in early childhood learning with deep operational and leadership experience in the Head Start program, and Steve’s mentor, Dr. Lorinzo Foxworth (aka “Leader Doc”), a noted work force development leadership coach, trainer, speaker and educator.

Convicted of a 1998 murder, 47-year-old Leon Benson, was released from prison on 3/9/23, fully exonerated after 24 years. Now a college student and recording artist, Mr. Benson shares a riveting account of how his false arrest and incarceration (including many years in solitary) transformed, rather than embittered, him and formed the foundation for his new life as a free man.

In this episode, we explore how local government can play a positive role in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the community. Hear our conversation with professional educator and consultant, Donna Richemond, who meets this challenge as DEI Chief for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.